Over 7,500 foreign worker employers suspended from expat system

The Homeland Security has suspended over 7,500 foreign worker employers for failing to pay employee-related permit fees and penalties.

The expat system is used for processing all fees related to foreign workers entering the Maldives.

Homeland Security Ministry’s State Minister Abdul Majeed Ibrahim said the expat system has already blocked 7,501 employers who have not paid their dues and fines. Majeed said all those who have been blocked will be able to regain access to the system once their outstanding payments are cleared.

The ministry had earlier set a dead line for employers of foreign staff to pay fines below MVR 100,000 by September 16. Employers who fail to pay within period would be publicly listed, and they will be suspended from the expat system, the ministry had warned.

According to the ministry, 3,692 parties have applied for installment payments over a one year period. The party that has to pay the largest amount, MVR 23.2 million has been given one year to repay the amount, the ministry said.

Out of more than 50,000 employers of foreigners in the Maldives, more than 45,000 are not paying their fees regularly, the Homeland Security Ministry said.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan recently met with the operators of the expat system as well as foreign worker employees to address the ongoing issues regarding foreign workers.